It can be easy to think that our daily actions do not make much difference in terms of the environment, but they do. What can we do to reduce our waste and consumption on a daily basis, and at the same time increase our happiness and maintain a comfortable lifestyle?
The Eco Buffs program, which is funded by the City of Boulder and administered by the Environmental Center at CU, understands the challenges and balances of reducing waste while living comfortably. They aim to create a more sustainable, zero waste Boulder and distribute EcoKits that include a compost bin, toilet tablets to check for leaks, lightbulbs and more! The program is designed to encourage students to learn about their habits, live more sustainably and meet climate justice goals.
CU has other on-campus programs and practices that support the school's legacy of sustainability. CU uses ditch water for irrigation and to water lawns, instead of city-treated water, saving around $440,000 every year and reducing water waste in the process. Our water use is not always obvious to us as consumers, but the clothes we wear and food we consume all use water and are something we should be mindful of.
How do we know if our sustainability actions at CU are as good as they can be? The STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System) report provides insight into that question. CU Boulder has scored "gold" on the STARS report, along with hundreds of other schools. If you want to get involved in campus policies related to sustainability, consider joining the Environmental Center board or the CU Student Government Sustainability Commission.